A3 + PLUS >> Pedestrian killed in hit-and-run accident, 2A PREP FOOTBALL COLLEGE FOOTBALL Kroeger: 5 thoughts Pitts returning to UF on Columbia’s win after 2-week absence See Page 10A See Page 10A TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2020 | YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SINCE 1874 | $1.00 Lake City Reporter LAKECITYREPORTER.COM FGC to honor graduates First class delivery in-person Commencements will feature small groups on Dec. 8, 10, 11. Staff report Florida Gateway College will hold live in-person commencement ceremonies next month. The college announced Monday its plans to host smaller ceremo- nies Dec. 8, 10-11, similar to its grad- uation plans from the spring semes- ter. Barrett “We are happy Photos by JAMIE WACHTER/Lake City Reporter to again conduct these socially The new Live Oak Post Office opened Monday after crews spent the weekend moving equipment from the historic downtown distant graduation ceremonies location to the new site on the northern edge of town at the Live Oak Commons. for our students,” FGC President Dr. Lawrence Barrett said in a release. “It is important for the New post office replaces Live Oak’s historic downtown site graduates and their families to be able to share the celebration of By JAMIE WACHTER ings like this any more. This is this achievement with their peers [email protected] probably one of the strongest in person.” buildings in Suwannee County.” FGC’s plans call for ceremonies LIVE OAK — Monday was a The move itself is a long time of 15 students — with up to five bittersweet day for Blair Beatty. coming. family members for each — to be On one hand, the Live Oak The United States Postal held in the Levy Performing Arts postmaster and his employees Service discussed changing Center on the college campus with had a new, spacious facility to locations numerous times, even social distancing being practiced. call home. going so far as to have plans The first ceremony will be held But, on the other, the new drawn up for a new site off of 5:30 p.m. Dec. 8, followed by anoth- Live Oak Post Office at Live 72nd Trace, even further north er at 6:30 p.m. and one more at 7:30 Oak Commons on U.S. Hwy. 129 of town, Beatty said. p.m. That schedule will be repeat- North doesn’t have the same Those previous plans, though, ed Dec. 10-11. Each ceremony will character as the historic location fell through and the historic post be broadcast on local Comcast downtown, the one that served office — even with its limited Cable channel 8 and streamed on the community for 104-plus parking and even more problem- the college’s website. years. atic accessibility issues — con- Kathryn Hebda, the chancellor “It’s a lovely building and it has tinued doing what it has most of the Florida College System, will served the community for a long every day since 1916: deliver. give the keynote address live at time,” Beatty said Saturday as However, the USPS announced the initial ceremony with her mes- crews were busy moving equip- in November 2018 it was con- sage recorded and played for the ment from the old to the new. sidering a move, which it then A mail sorting station is moved into the new Live Oak Post “This was built in the high fed- FGC continued on 3A Office on Saturday in preparation of Monday’s opening. eral era. They don’t make build- USPS continued on 3A Biden designated winner, clearing way for transition President-elect taps start of the transition from to concede the election, election results.” Michigan ing our nation, including rity and public health areas. foreign policy veterans President said in a tweet that he is certified Biden’s victory getting the pandemic under “Please know that I came for Cabinet positions. Donald directing his team to coop- Monday, and a federal judge control and our economy to my decision independent- Trump’s erate on the transition but is in Pennsylvania tossed a back on track.” ly, based on the law and Associated Press adminis- vowing to keep up the fight. Trump campaign lawsuit on Murphy, a Trump appoin- available facts. I was never tration and Administrator Emily Saturday seeking to prevent tee, had faced bipartisan directly or indirectly pres- WASHINGTON — allowing Murphy made the determi- certification in that state. criticism for failing to begin sured by any Executive The General Services Biden to nation after Trump efforts Yohannes Abraham, the the transition process soon- Branch official—including Administration ascertained coordinate to subvert the vote failed executive director of the er, preventing Biden’s team those who work at the White Biden Monday that President-elect with federal across battleground states, Biden transition, said in a from working with career House or GSA—with regard Joe Biden is the “apparent agencies on plans for taking citing, “recent develop- statement that the decision agency officials on plans for to the substance or timing winner” of the Nov. 3 elec- over on Jan. 20. ments involving legal chal- “is a needed step to begin his administration, includ- tion, clearing the way for the Trump, who had refused lenges and certifications of tackling the challenges fac- ing in critical national secu- BIDEN continued on 7A Vol. 146, No. 177 Obituaries . 2A CALL US: TODAY’S WEATHER (386) 752-1293 Opinion . 4A Advice & Comics . 5A SUBSCRIBE TO 74 55 THE REPORTER: Classified . 6A-7A Voice: 755-5445 Fax: 752-9400 Mostly sunny, 2A Sports . 10A 2A TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2020 LOCAL LAKE CITY REPORTER Pedestrian Culpepper honored QUICK HITS killed in Scripture of the Day hit-and-run for forest management “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into accident his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, Staff report and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his Staff report mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to BRANFORD — A JASPER — A Hamilton County land- all generations.” California man was hit and owner has been recognized by the — Psalm 100:4-5 (KJV) killed while walking along Florida Forest Service for his exception- U.S. Highway 27 Saturday. al forest management properties. According to the Florida David Culpepper was honored as an Thought for Today Highway Patrol, a 32-year- outstanding Florida Forest Landowner One that would have the fruit must climb the tree. old from Carlsbad, Calif., by the FFS in celebration of the 100th — Thomas Fuller, 1608-1661, English clergy- was walking along on north- anniversary of the National Association man bound shoulder of U.S. 27 of State Foresters. The FFS is recogniz- ing 100 forest landowners from across south Branford when he the state for their management practic- COURTESY was hit by a minivan around es, public outreach and conservation David Culpepper was honored by the 7:30 p.m. Saturday. efforts. Florida Forest Service for his manage- Winning Lottery Numbers The man was pronounced Culpepper owns approximately 175 ment of 175 acres of forest land in deceased on the scene by acres of forest land, cleaning up 40 acres Hamilton County. Pick 3: (Sunday p.m.) 7-8-5 Suwannee County Fire of rough planted slash through brush Pick 4: (Sunday p.m.) 0-0-1-0 Rescue. reduction. The rest of the land was generations,” said Greg Staten, the FFS Fantasy 5: (Sunday) 13-15-17-26-30 The FHP release states cut over timberland or farm land that senior county forester for Hamilton the minivan was found Culpepper has replanted with longleaf County. The NASF is a non-profit organization See an error? abandoned a few miles from pines over the past few years. An addi- The Lake City Reporter corrects errors of fact in news tional 61 acres was planted longleaf last composed of the directors of forestry the scene of the accident. items. If you have a concern, question, or suggestion, winter. agencies in the 50 states, U.S. territories FHP is actively investi- “We want to thank David Culpepper and District of Columbia. Those mem- please call the editor. Corrections and clarifications will gating a person of interest for his stewardship and maintaining bers manage and protect state and pri- run in this space. Thanks for reading. in the case, according to the integrity of Florida’s forestlands, vate forests, which make up nearly 2/3 the report. ensuring they will be available for future of America’s forests. Submissions The Lake City Reporter accepts photographs and caption information to run at the discretion of the editor. If you would OBITUARIES like to see your organization in the newspaper, send the picture and information to the editor: [email protected]. Eleanor Ward Pickren A Ward, Jr. She was of Methodist School of Nursing program in Lake City Community College in Eleanor Ward Pickren, 91, faith and resided in Lake City September 1950. After receiving 1972 and then in 1974 obtained a born in Atlanta, Georgia, June 28, since 1966. her RN license she worked in 8 B.S. degree in Nursing from the Lake City Reporter 1929 to the late Frank A. Ward Eleanor graduated from Atlanta hospitals. While working at the University of Florida. She was HOW TO REACH US ADVERTISING and Mina Joe Fite Ward. One sib- Girls High in 1947. She then went Lake City VA Medical Center especially fond of nursing and Main number .......(386) 752-1293 Director Chris Ratliff Fax number ............ 752-9400 (386) 754-0417 ling preceded her in death, Frank on to complete the Georgia Baptist she received an AA degree from worked as a part-time instruc- Circulation............